A peer-reviewed case study published in the journal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in May 2026 found that an accelerated TMS protocol reduced a teenager’s depression scores by more than half — in days rather than weeks. For families in Manhattan weighing treatment options for adolescent depression, this finding adds early but meaningful evidence to a space where data has been limited.
Below, we break down what the study found, how TMS works, what the FDA has cleared for teens so far, and how accelerated protocols may fit into a broader treatment plan.
What the new case study found
Researchers at the Family Care Center TMS Center of Excellence treated a 15-year-old patient living with depression, anxiety, and a history of self-harm. Instead of following the standard once-daily TMS schedule — which typically takes five to six weeks — the patient received six TMS sessions per day, completing the full course in days.
Four validated assessment tools tracked progress from baseline through two weeks after treatment ended:
- PHQ-A (adolescent depression): Dropped from 16 (moderate-severe) to 7 (mild)
- CES-DC (depression in children): Fell from 27 (significant depression) to 16
- GAD-7 (anxiety): Decreased from 13 (moderate) to 6, one week post-treatment
- YQOL-S (quality of life): Rose from 61 to 72.7, a nearly 20% improvement within two weeks
The patient reported no side effects, along with better sleep and reduced anxiety.
This is a single case study — exploratory, not conclusive. Larger controlled trials are needed before accelerated TMS can be broadly recommended for adolescents. But the researchers note it is “one of the first published reports of an accelerated, multi-session-per-day TMS protocol in an adolescent patient,” filling an important gap in the literature.
How TMS works
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in specific regions of the brain. The primary target is the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a region closely linked to mood regulation.
During a session, an electromagnetic coil placed against the scalp delivers brief magnetic pulses. These pulses pass through the skull and generate small electrical currents in the targeted brain tissue, activating neurons that may be underactive in people living with depression.
Unlike antidepressant medication, which circulates throughout the body and can produce systemic side effects, TMS is localized. Each session typically lasts about 20 minutes, requires no anesthesia, and involves no recovery time. People can usually return to their normal routine immediately afterward.
The most common side effect is mild discomfort at the treatment site, usually during the first few sessions. Serious adverse events are rare.
The adolescent mental health landscape
Youth mental health remains a significant concern. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, among adolescents who experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, 40% still did not receive mental health care. The most common reason? Young people said they thought they should be able to handle their issues on their own.
This treatment gap is especially troubling given the limited options historically available for teens. Antidepressant medications carry an FDA boxed warning about increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents, which can make both families and prescribers cautious. Psychotherapy helps many young people, but access varies widely and waitlists can be long.
TMS offers a different kind of option — one that doesn’t add systemic medication and can work alongside existing treatments.
FDA clearance: what’s approved for teens
The FDA first cleared TMS for adult depression in 2008. It took more than 15 years for that clearance to extend to younger populations.
The key milestones:
- March 2024: Neuronetics received FDA clearance for its NeuroStar TMS system as an adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents aged 15 and older. The decision was based on real-world data from 1,169 adolescents treated through the NeuroStar TrakStar registry. Among those patients, 78% achieved clinically meaningful improvement in depression severity.
- August 2025: MagVenture received similar FDA clearance for its TMS system in adolescents aged 15 to 21.
Both clearances are for standard TMS protocols. Accelerated TMS — where multiple sessions are delivered per day over fewer days — has been studied primarily in adults and is not yet separately cleared by the FDA for adolescents. The Family Care Center case study is one of the first pieces of published evidence exploring its application in a younger patient.
Standard vs. accelerated TMS protocols
Standard TMS for depression typically involves one session per day, five days a week, for four to six weeks — roughly 30 to 36 sessions total. This schedule works well for many people, but it can be difficult for adolescents to maintain alongside school, activities, and the general demands of teenage life.
Accelerated protocols compress the same number of total sessions into a shorter timeframe by delivering multiple sessions per day. The concept gained attention after Stanford University’s SAINT protocol — now called Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy — demonstrated nearly 80% remission in adults with treatment-resistant depression using an accelerated theta-burst stimulation approach. That study used 10 sessions per day over five days.
The potential advantages for adolescents are practical as well as clinical:
- Shorter overall treatment timeline — days rather than weeks
- Less disruption to school and daily routines
- Faster access to relief for teens in acute distress
- Higher completion rates — fewer sessions to miss means fewer dropouts
The Family Care Center case study used six sessions per day. While a single case can’t establish safety or efficacy for a population, the results — and the fact that the teen reported no side effects — add early support for further research.
What the broader evidence shows
Beyond the new case study, the existing evidence for standard TMS in adolescents is encouraging.
The data supporting the March 2024 FDA clearance came from 1,169 adolescents treated with NeuroStar TMS across clinical sites nationwide. Among those patients, 78% achieved clinically meaningful improvement in depression severity. These outcomes were consistent with those seen in adult populations treated with the same protocol.
Published research from the same dataset found that response and remission rates in adolescents mirrored patterns seen in adults. Longer courses of TMS were associated with greater improvement, and the greatest symptom reduction typically occurred within the first 10 sessions.
Importantly, TMS was well tolerated across the adolescent sample. Side effects were mild and transient — primarily discomfort at the treatment site — consistent with the safety profile seen in adults.
Where TMS fits in a broader treatment plan
TMS is not a standalone solution for most people. It tends to work best as part of a comprehensive approach that may include psychotherapy, medication management, and lifestyle support.
For adolescents, this might look like:
- TMS combined with therapy: TMS may help restore brain activity in regions associated with mood regulation, potentially making psychotherapy more effective.
- TMS alongside medication: TMS is cleared as an adjunct treatment, meaning it’s designed to work with existing medications when appropriate, not necessarily replace them.
- TMS and ketamine therapy: For adults with treatment-resistant depression, some treatment plans combine TMS with IV ketamine — which works through a different mechanism (modulating NMDA receptors) and can provide faster initial relief. While ketamine therapy is currently used in adults, the combination approach reflects a growing understanding that treatment-resistant depression often benefits from multimodal care.
The goal isn’t to choose one treatment over another. It’s to match the right combination to each person’s needs, with close medical oversight and ongoing support.
What Manhattan families should know
If you’re a parent or caregiver exploring TMS for a teenager in Manhattan, here are some practical considerations:
Eligibility. FDA-cleared TMS for adolescents currently applies to those aged 15 and older with major depressive disorder. A clinician will evaluate whether TMS is appropriate based on the teen’s diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health.
Insurance. TMS is covered by many insurance plans for treatment-resistant depression, though coverage often requires documentation showing that at least two antidepressant medications haven’t provided adequate relief. Verification of benefits is typically handled by the treatment center’s care team.
Treatment setting. Look for a provider with psychiatric oversight — a psychiatrist or physician who manages the overall treatment plan, not just the TMS sessions. Integration with therapy and medication management matters.
Time commitment. Standard protocols involve daily sessions for four to six weeks. Accelerated protocols, when available and appropriate, may reduce this timeframe, though availability for adolescents specifically is still limited.
What to expect. Sessions are brief and noninvasive. Teens can go to school before or after treatment. There is no sedation, no medication to take, and no recovery period.
If you’re considering treatment options for a young person in your life, Nushama’s care team can help you understand what’s available and what fits. We offer TMS for treatment-resistant depression, ketamine therapy, and non-medication approaches to depression care — all under one roof in Manhattan.
Book a consultation to talk through next steps with our team.
Frequently asked questions
Is TMS FDA-approved for teenagers?
Yes. As of 2024, the FDA has cleared TMS devices for use in adolescents aged 15 and older with major depressive disorder. Both the NeuroStar (Neuronetics) and MagVenture TMS systems have received this clearance. TMS is approved as an adjunct treatment, meaning it works alongside other treatments such as medication or therapy.
What is accelerated TMS, and is it available for teens?
Accelerated TMS delivers multiple sessions per day over a condensed timeframe — often five days instead of five to six weeks. It has been studied primarily in adults, where protocols like the Stanford SAINT study have shown promising results. The May 2026 case study from the Family Care Center is one of the first published reports of accelerated TMS in a 15-year-old patient, but larger studies are needed before it’s broadly available for adolescents.
Does TMS hurt?
Most people describe a tapping or clicking sensation on the scalp during treatment. Mild discomfort at the treatment site is the most common side effect and usually improves after the first few sessions. TMS does not require anesthesia or sedation.
Can TMS replace antidepressant medication for teens?
TMS is cleared as an adjunct to existing treatment, not necessarily as a replacement for medication. In some cases, people may be able to reduce their medication under the guidance of a psychiatrist after a successful course of TMS, but this is a decision made on an individual basis with medical supervision.
How does TMS compare to ketamine therapy for depression?
TMS and ketamine work through different mechanisms. TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive brain regions over several weeks. IV ketamine modulates NMDA receptors and may provide relief within hours to days. For people in acute distress, ketamine may offer faster initial relief. TMS may be better suited for sustained improvement over time. Some treatment plans combine both approaches. A consultation with a clinician can help determine which option — or combination — may be the best fit.
Does insurance cover TMS for adolescents?
Many insurance plans cover TMS for treatment-resistant depression. Coverage typically requires documentation that two or more antidepressant medications haven’t provided adequate relief. Your care team can help verify your benefits and navigate the authorization process.
